Kaiden's Legacy
Since the loss of our beloved Kaiden, our family and community have come together with strength, love and determination to honor his life.
Kaiden meant so much to so many people, and we are committed to ensuring that his name, his spirit and the values he stood for continue to live on.
Here we will share the actions our community has taken in Kaiden’s memory as we stand together, raise awareness and call for change so that no other family has to experience the pain and loss that we have endured.
Honoring Kaiden
Kaiden's Last Walk
In the days following the tragic loss of our beloved Kaiden, our family, friends and community came together in Morwell to honour his life and the incredible person he was.
On Tuesday, September 30 more than 200 people walked beside us as we retraced Kaiden’s final steps, the 8 minute walk from his home to the place where he was found after the attack that took him from us.
Surrounded by love and support, we released balloons in the colours of the Aboriginal flag while holding one another in grief.
The sound of clapsticks and the didgeridoo filled the air as flowers were gently laid at the place where our beloved Kaiden was last found.
Kaiden’s cousins and brothers climbed the tree near that spot and carefully removed fallen branches. A small fire was lit, and people were invited to place a stick onto the fire as a way to say goodbye to Kaiden.
Photographs: Aidan Knight (Latrobe Valley Express)
"He was like an old soul that brought everyone back together and was keeping the real culture alive for everyone around here."
March For Justice
On Saturday, October 4, our community came together again in Morwell for a second justice march to honour Kaiden's life and stand together for change.
Before the march, people from across the community placed red handprints on a banner reading Justice for Kaiden.
More than 1,000 people walked from The Gathering Place to the Morwell Police Station. Families, Elders, friends and supporters walked side by side, carrying flags, sharing tributes and remembering the bright young man Kaiden was.
The banner filled with red handprints was carried through the march and later placed on the steps of the police station alongside clapsticks as a symbol of remembrance and unity.
Flowers, words of tribute and cultural practices honoured Kaiden’s memory, while the community stood together in mourning and determination.
What began as grief has also become a powerful moment of unity for the Latrobe Valley. The message from our community was clear: Kaiden’s life mattered, he will never be forgotten, and we will continue to stand together to protect our young people.
Photograph: Katrina Brandon (Latrobe Valley Express)
"He has left a big hole in our hearts that we will never fill ever again, and the community has even got a hole in their hearts, as you can see from today."
The Memorial
On The Boulevard in Morwell, we have created a space to honour him and feel close to him.
Family, friends, and community members have adorned the memorial with signs, photos, flowers, and fairy lights that light up the night sky, just as Kaiden lit up our lives.
This temporary memorial is visited often and has become a beautiful, moving sight for everyone who comes to remember him. We are also working with a local agency to establish something more permanent, so that Kaiden’s memory will continue to shine for the community for years to come.
"He brought everybody together, every walk of life, every generation; it didn't matter if you were Indigenous or non-Indigenous, he was a true lover of life and people"
Laid to Rest with Love
On 15 October 2025, just 18 days after we lost our beloved Kaiden, thousands of family members, friends and community supporters gathered at Kernot Hall in Morwell to honour his life and say goodbye.
The service was deeply moving, with culture and family at its heart. A Welcome to Country, songs, cultural dances and the sound of clapsticks and didgeridoo paid tribute to the proud young man Kaiden was. His father shared a heartfelt tribute, remembering Kaiden as someone who always stood up for others and who had the heart of a future community leader.
After the service, hundreds joined a procession to his burial site, releasing red, black and yellow balloons and laying flowers in his honour. A ceremonial fire was lit, and family members placed branches into the flames one by one.
Photographs: Aidan Knight (Latrobe Valley Express)
"Kaiden always made sure everyone was alright. The biggest heart, he would wear it on his sleeve and make sure everyone had a feed, a drink, a bed, everything. "
Kaiden's Last Dance
Kaiden’s Last Dance was held on 1 November 2025, at Kaiden's memorial site led by the cultural dance group Boorun Boys, who Kaiden had proudly danced with alongside women's dance group the Dejeetung Girls.
Dancing had always been an important part of Kaiden’s life and identity and this ceremony was an important way for us to honour that connection to culture.
The dance was led by Kaiden's brother and fellow Boorun Boys dancer William Morgan Junior. The Boorun Boys and Dejeetung girls danced around the dancing attire previously worn by Kaiden.
This spirit dance helped us to guide Kaiden’s spirit to the Dreamtime ensuring he can move forward in peace and join the ancestors while continuing to watch over his family and community.
Photograph: Katrina Brandon (Latrobe Valley Express)
“My brother touched hearts far and wide. That’s just who he was – his personality. He helped me; he shaped me into the leader I am. It’s a huge part for me too when I was dancing beside him, and now that I’ll never be able to dance beside him physically"
Bunnings Warehouse honouring Kaiden
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At Bunnings Warehouse' annual staff gathering, Kaiden was honoured by his former workplace, where colleagues shared how much they miss working alongside him and reflected on the positive energy he brought to the team.
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Kaiden had been working with Bunnings on program ideas to create employment opportunities for Indigenous youth. He was passionate about this work and had been involved in important discussions about opportunities and pathways for young people.
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In honour of Kaiden, Bunnings announced they will continue this work and create something special in his name, ensuring his ideas and passion continue to make a difference.
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During the evening, Ashleigh EllaRose Dalton led the Dejeetung girls in a powerful dance performance that moved many to tears.
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The team at Bunnings Morwell also presented our family with a framed Bunnings apron, featuring every staff member’s name surrounding Kaiden’s name tag, a tribute that deeply touched our family and served as another reminder of how many lives Kaiden impacted.
"I know Kaiden would be saying, keep on going, let's go on you mob, we need to stick together. And so that's what we're doing"
Community Support
Following Kaiden’s death, strong community support has been shown through the distribution of thousands of bumper stickers and Justice for Kaiden flags and other designs honouring Kaiden displayed throughout the community.
These acts represent a shared commitment to honouring Kaiden and advocating for justice.
They also serve as a visible reminder that Kaiden’s name, story and spirit continue to be carried forward by those who love him.